The Extra Pockets

ABSTRACT

The Extra Pockets are a series of like hanging extra pockets made of different sizes, fabrics, and hanging devices. Like pockets on various articles of clothing, the purpose of The Extra Pockets is to hold items normally held in one&#39;s pockets, and/or one&#39;s pocketbooks, in an extra pocket which hangs on, or from multiple adjuncts. And depending on how and where The Extra Pockets will be used, series of like hanging extra pockets will be made specifically for those purposes (for example: home; office; beach/pool; hospital stay; gym locker; car; and jogging/walking).

CROSS REFERENCE TO

Application No. 61/854,964; Filing or 371(c) Date May 6, 2013, application Ser. No. 14/261,389; Filing or 371(c) Date Apr. 24, 2014, and application Ser. No. 14/971,295; Filing or 371(c) Date Dec. 16, 2015.

STATEMENT OF FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

N/A.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

N/A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The Extra Pockets idea came about on Feb. 1, 2013 after watching a television program called “Shark Tank”. After filing a provisional patent on May 6, 2013 (application Ser. No. 16/854,964), an unprovisional patent on Apr. 24, 2014 (application Ser. No. 14/261,389), and a continuation-in-part on Dec. 16, 2015 (application Ser. No. 14/971,295), the idea was rejected and left for abandonment for a number of reasons, including the name “The Extra Pocket” aka “The X-Pocket” which is Trademarked (see the Office Action Summary dated Jan. 30, 2017).

My attempt at trying to describe The Extra Pocket (aka The X-Pocket) was too vague and the Drawings were not descriptive enough. During the years of going back and forth with the patent examiner, I have gained a lot of knowledge which has helped in submitting a more in depth application. Unfortunately, my three partners have decided not to continue in this endeavor. But, I would like to thank the patent examiner for being patient and allowing me to learn the patent process. I hope to make him proud by producing a legitimate, and sound Utility Patent Application. By doing this, hopefully this patent application will also give answers to the many cited patents which were given throughout my previously filed attempts and are noted at the end of the Specification Section.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Extra Pockets are a series of hanging extra pockets. Its purpose is to hold pocketed and pocketbook items when a normal pocket (located on an article of clothing), or pocketbook is unavailable, or not practical to use.

Each series of The Extra Pockets will have the same basic design. The only differences between each series of hanging extra pockets will be: the fabric; the amount of pockets within each individual series and whether they will be opened or closed by a flap, zipper, or other type of closure; the hanging device; and pocket liners (within ‘most’ series of hanging extra pockets). To explain the point of my idea, this application will be focused on four of the many series of hanging extra pockets. They are: The DENIM Extra Pocket—the intended place of use is in one's home (closet, hook, bureau, nightstand, door knob, or other like adjuncts); The BEACH/POOL Extra Pocket—the intended place of use is at the beach, or pool (arm of beach chair); The GYM Extra Pocket—the intended place of use is at a gymnasium (locker hook); and The JOGGER'S Extra Pocket—the intended place of use is on a person's body (waist and leg) while jogging, or walking.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Extra Pockets are a series of hanging extra pockets, with each series having the same basic design, and all having: a strong and bendable plastic insert with multiple holes throughout to allow the fabric, which will encompass the plastic insert, to breath; an attachment for hanging (permanent, or detachable); one or more pockets; fabric which correlates to the intended use within a series of hanging extra pockets; and since The Extra Pockets' size will be ‘pocket sized’ based on pockets in articles of clothing (slacks, overcoats, etc.), it would stand to reason that each series be made in multiple sizes (small, and or medium, and or large, and or extra-large), as pockets on a pair of slacks made for a person who is six-foot-six, would be larger than the pockets on a pair of slacks made for a person who is five-foot-six.

The basic design of The Extra Pockets will always start with a small sized, medium sized, large sized, or extra-large sized plastic insert. And to give most series of The Extra Pockets additional substance, batting (a fluffy cotton, or polyester substance usually used in quilting) will cover the plastic insert, both front and back. Since The GYM Extra Pocket will be made of a terry cloth fabric, it will not need batting. Depending on the intended place of usage (the home, the beach or pool, the gym, while jogging, hospital stays (bed railings), the office, the car, or other places), the outer fabric (denim, rayon (or other waterproof fabric), terry cloth, nylon (or other stretchy, synthetic blend), or other fabric type), will be chosen and used to cover the plastic and batting insert. Some pockets within the hanging extra pocket will be lined. The hanging attachment (permanent, or detachable) will also be created according to the intended place of usage.

On some series of The Extra Pockets, consumers can choose to have their names, initials, pictures, or other motifs added to the front of the hanging extra pocket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 on page 1|15 depicts the strong, bendable PLASTIC WITH HOLES which will be used in the center of all Extra Pockets made.

FIG. 2 on page 2|15 depicts the front of The DENIM Extra Pocket without the detachable attachments shown on page 4|15, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7. It has two pockets (a small pocket (item 5), and a large pocket (item 8)). The drawing also shows a person's name near the bottom (which will be given as an option). Item 7 is unseen, but depicts a cotton, or other like fabric liner sewn into the main (larger) pocket (see the pattern, FIG. 18 on page 11|15).

FIG. 3 on page 3|15 depicts the back of The DENIM Extra Pocket (also without the detachable attachments shown on page 4|15, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 7). It has one back pocket (item 11).

Page 4|15 depicts three hanging attachments for The DENIM Extra Pocket:

a.) FIG. 4 is a faux belt with snaps ‘hers’ (items 13 and 14). The two rows of snaps ‘hers’ (items 13 a and 13 b) are the adjustable snap rows allowing the user to choose which row of snaps are appropriate to use based on the thickness of the drawer bracket, or the thickness of the closet rod, to wrap around and then snapped to the back The DENIM Extra Pocket snaps ‘his’, while item 14 snaps ‘hers’ are to be snapped to front pocket snaps ‘his’. The buckled end of the faux belt should always be on the front of The DENIM Extra Pocket.

b.) FIG. 5 is a faux belt with snaps ‘hers’ (items 15 and 18) and a partial wired hanger (item 16). The partial hanger allows The DENIM Extra Pocket to hang from a closet rod, drawer pull knob, door knob, or other like object after snapping.

FIG. 6 is a folded view of FIG. 5 after attachment.

c.) FIG. 7 is a faux belt with snaps ‘hers’ (items 19 and 22) and grommets (item 20). The grommets allows The DENIM Extra Pocket to hang on a hook, or other like object after snapping.

FIG. 8 is a folded view of FIG. 7 after attachment.

FIG. 9 on page 5|15 depicts the front of The RAIN SLICKER Extra Pocket which will be made of rayon, or other like waterproof fabric. The intended use of this particular series of The Extra Pocket is for the beach, or pool. One can hang The RAIN SLICKER Extra Pocket to their chair, or simply lay on their towel. Like The DENIM Extra Pocket, The RAIN SLICKER Extra Pocket will also have a lined pocket. But, instead of a cotton liner, it will have an insulating fabric that is heat resistant (such as a Thermo fabric). The heat resistant fabric will help protect cell phones, and other items stored in the pockets, from overheating. There will be a buckled half-belt permanently sewn to the top of The Rain Slicker Extra Pocket (see item 23).

FIG. 10 on page 6|15 depicts the back of The RAIN SLICKER Extra Pocket. There will be a small pocket with a flap which snaps (see items 28, 29, and 30). The small back pocket will be lined with the same heat resistant fabric as the front main pocket. There will be a corresponding half-belt with holes sewn permanently sewn to the top of the back pocket (see item 27). Fastening the half belts together will allow hanging from the arm of a beach chair.

FIG. 11 on page 7|15 depicts the front of The GYM LOCKER Extra Pocket. This series of The Extra Pocket will be made of a terry cloth fabric and will have a permanent hanger attachment (see item 32), and a zipper (see item 34) for securing stored items.

FIG. 12 on page 8|15 depicts the back of The GYM LOCKER Extra Pocket. This is where a plastic swiveled hanger attachment (see item 37) will be permanently attached to The GYM LOCKER Extra Pocket. The swivel hanger attachment will have a partial hanger (see item 36) and two grooves to lock the hanger in place (see item 38 and an unseen groove which is not shown because the hanger's position is using that particular space). The hanger will be able to swivel and lock to and from the two grooves.

FIG. 13 on page 9|15 depicts the front of The JOGGER'S Extra Pocket. This series of The Extra Pocket will be made of a stretchy, synthetic blended fabric and will hang from the side of one's waist and thigh (upper leg) by two elasticized belts (see items 41, and 42, as well as items 45 and 46). The flap (see item 43) will be secured by Velcro. Like The DENIM Extra Pocket, there will be an inner, smaller pocket to hold one's cell phone, or other like device. But unlike The DENIM Extra Pocket, the inner, smaller pocket will have a flap secured by Velcro.

FIG. 14 on page 10|15 depicts a view of the front of The JOGGER'S Extra Pocket with the waist and thigh belts unfastened. The two belts will be removable, enabling the user to switch to their preferred side.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18 depicts multiple patterns used in making The Extra Pocket.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and DIFFERENCES

References cited in the filing of a prior patent application (see page 1 under “CROSS REFERENCE TO”)

United States Patents

Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title U.S. Pat. No. 2,704,098A* 1951 May 25 1955 Mar. 15 Catherine Pocock Laundry Bag U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,638A* 1954 Jul. 1 1955 Jun. 14 Gladys C Ford Combined Hanger and Utility Bag U.S. Pat. No. 3,834,497A* 1972 Oct. 19 1974 Sep. 10 Beatrice M Furst Storage Bag for Clothing Articles or The Like U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,667A* 1985 Jun. 10 1986 Apr. 8 Betty K Herwood Packing System U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,864A* 1990 Dec. 20 1991 Nov. 19 Wayne I Schmitt Laundry Valet U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,230A* 1992 Nov. 16 1994 Dec. 6 Lisa C Cox Container and Method for Storing Children's Clothes U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,588A* 1994 Nov. 28 1996 Apr. 23 Cathy S Kimball Outfit Organizer Cover U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,064B1* 2002 Nov. 12 2004 Oct. 26 Tammy Fanning Hanger Accessory Sleeve US2006/0032875A1* 2005 Jul. 20 2006 Feb. 16 Vickilyn Patterson Bags and Methods of Manufacturing Same US2007/0138222A1* 2006 Dec. 4 2007 Jun. 21 Ira H Goldman Readily Deployed and Stowed Storage Devices for Temporary Holding and Transporting Personal Items US2010/0235966A1* 2010 Mar. 12 2010 Sep. 23 Bryan DeHart Integrated Garment Pocket System USD625128S* 2009 Sep. 22 2010 Oct. 12 Carmela Ciauri-Sasner Hanging Storage Organizer U.S. Pat. No. 7,896,152B1* 2009 Oct. 2 2011 Mar. 1 Sheila A Bruhl Clothing, Jewelry and Accessories Coordinator US2012/0093442A1* 2011 Sep. 22 2012 Apr. 19 Adam M Lett Pant Leg Tote Bag US2012/0201482A1* 2011 Nov. 1 2012 Aug. 9 Jeffrey Stephen Removably Attachable Storage Gawronski Device US2014/0319022A1* 2013 Apr. 25 2014 Oct. 30 Alan T Chu Hanging Carrier for Storing and Displaying Personal Items US2008/7458681B1* 2006 Jun. 23 2008 Dec. 2 Terry Martin Redding Hanging eyewear holder *Cited by examiner.

While all of the cited patents have various hanging devices and all are used to hold various sundry/personal items, none have multiple hanging devices which allows specific units within a series of hanging extra pockets to be hung from a variety of places.

Also, while maintaining the functionality and usage of The Extra Pockets, the various fabrics chosen specifically for each series of The Extra Pockets, allows the user choices for different activities. 

1. The Extra Pockets are a series of hanging extra pockets, with each series having the same basic design, and all having: a strong and bendable plastic insert with multiple holes throughout to allow the fabric, which encompasses the plastic, to breath; an attachment for hanging (permanent, or detachable); one or more pockets; fabric which correlates to the intended use within a series of extra hanging pockets; and since The Extra Pockets' size will be ‘pocket sized’ based on pockets of articles of clothing (slacks, overcoats, etc.), it would stand to reason that each series be made in multiple sizes (small, and or medium, and or large, and or extra-large), as pockets on a pair of slacks made for a person who is six-foot-six, would be larger than the pockets on a pair of slacks made for a person who is five-foot-six.
 2. The basic design of The Extra Pockets of claim 1 will always start with a plastic insert (depicted on page 1|15, FIG. 1), and only have differences as a result of the hanging devices, the fabric chosen for its' intended usage, and the number of pockets within each series of hanging extra pockets as shown in the following focused series of The Extra Pockets: a. The DENIM Extra Pocket's intended usage is for the home, to be hung from a closet rod, nightstand, bureau, door knob, hook, or other like places (depicted in the DRAWING section, the front is on page 2|15 FIG. 2, the back on page 3|15 FIG. 3), with three accompanied detachable attachments (depicted in the DRAWING section, on page 4|15, FIG. 4—a faux belt ‘loop’ to hang from a closet rod, bracketed drawer pulls, or other like places, FIG. 5 (and FIG. 6 a hanging view of FIG. 5)—a faux belt ‘hanger’ to hang from a closet rod, a knobbed drawer pull, a door knob, hook, or other like places, FIG. 7 (and FIG. 8 a hanging view of FIG. 7)—a faux belt ‘grommet’ to hang from a hook, or other like places), and will be made of a denim fabric—a plastic insert with holes (page 1|15 FIG. 1)—a cotton batting material, which covers the plastic insert (the pattern depicted on page 11|15, FIG. 16, items 50 and 51)—a waist band front (page 2|15, item 1)—snaps ‘his’ (page 2|15, item 2) for the aforementioned hanging detachable attachments—a belt loop (page 2|15, item 3)—a button (page 2|15, item 4)—an inner, unlined (smaller) pocket (page 2|15, item 5)—top front of main pocket (page 2|15, item 6, and also depicted in the pattern on page 11|15, FIG. 15, item 47)—an unseen liner for large pocket (depicted on page 11|15, FIG. 18, items 55 and 56)—bottom front of main pocket (page 2|15, item 8, and also depicted in the pattern on page 11|15, FIG. 15, item 47)—a waist band back (page 3|15, item 9)—snaps ‘his’ (page 3|15, item 10) for the aforementioned attachments—a back unlined pocket (page 3|15, item 11)—back of main pocket (page 3|15, item 12); b. The BEACH/POOL Extra Pocket's intended usage is for the beach, or pool, and would be hung from the arm of a beach chair (depicted in the DRAWING section, the front is depicted on page 5|15, FIG. 9, the back on page 6|15, FIG. 10) and will be made of rayon, or other like waterproof fabric, along with a plastic insert with holes (page 1115, FIG. 1)—a cotton batting material which covers the plastic insert (the pattern is depicted on page 11|15, FIG. 16, items 50 and 51)—half of the buckled end of a belt (page 5|15, item 23) sewn permanently into top of front pocket flap (page 5|15, item 24)—front pocket flap (page 5|15, item 24)—snap (page 5|15, item 25)—front of main pocket (page 5|15, item 26)—half of the holes' end of a belt (page 6|15, item 27) sewn permanently into top of back pocket flap (page 6|15, item 28) with holes allowing adjustability to compensate for width of beach chair arm and connection to buckled end of belt for hanging—liners for both pockets (front and back) will be made of an insulating fabric that resists heat to protect cell phones—back pocket flap (page 6|15, item 28)—snap (page 6|15, item 29)—back pocket (page 6|15, item 30)—back of main pocket (page 6|15, item 31); c. The GYM LOCKER Extra Pocket's intended usage is for the gym locker (depicted in the DRAWINGS section, the front is depicted on page 7|15 FIG. 11, the back on page 8|15 FIG. 12) and will be made of terry cloth, along with plastic insert with holes (page 1|15 FIG. 1)—a cotton batting material which covers the plastic insert (the pattern is depicted on page 11|15, FIG. 16, items 50 and 51)—a partial hanger (page 7|15, item 32, and page 8|15, items 36, 37, and 38) that swivels and locks into place upon turning halfway down when not in use, and is made of a strong, solid plastic—top front of pocket (page 7|15, item 33); zipper (page 7|15, item 34)—bottom front of pocket (page 7|15, item 35)—back of pocket (page 7|15, item 39)—and of the four Extra Pockets described, The GYM LOCKER Extra Pocket will only have one unlined pocket; d. The JOGGER'S Extra Pocket's intended usage is for the jogger, or walker (depicted in the DRAWINGS section on page 9|15, FIG. 13, the pattern on page 11|15, FIG. 16, item 50) and will be made of a stretchy, synthetic blended fabric, along with a plastic insert with holes (page 1|15, FIG. 1)—batting which covers the plastic insert (pattern depicted on page 11|15, FIG. 16, items 50 and 51)—waist band (page 9|15, item 40)—two elongated belt loops for waist (page 9|15, items 41)—removable waist belt (page 9|15, item 42)—pocket flap with Velcro edging on back (page 9|15, item 43)—main pocket with corresponding Velcro to item 43 (page 9|15, item 44)—two elongated belt loops for leg (page 9|15, items 45)—removable leg belt (page 9|15, item 46)—not shown is an inner pocket with flap and Velcro for cell phone, or other like device.
 3. The Extra Pockets of claims 1 and 2 will also be made for hospital beds, cars, offices, and other like places, and can also include themes in the design such as: a person's name (depicted on page 2|15 FIG. 2), initials (depicted on page 7|15 FIG. 11); pictures (depicted on pages 5|15 FIG. 9 and 9|15 FIG. 13); drawings; and other motifs. 